Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-05-20
A GREAT ENTERPRISE.
Science Allied With I,ove Makes q
Useful Circuit"

Ueetul CIRCUIT,
John Mills, the hero OF this sketch
was n railroad engineer, and had been
for long time in the companys en-
ploy. When the new engine "59"
was completed and placed on the road,
John was given charge of it, and he
evinccd a natural pride in his prefer
ment. At one of the stations there
was young girl, a telegraphic ope-
rator, between whom and the engineer
there had sprung up n warm attach
ment and whenever "59' came along
Kate generally managed to be at the
door and exchange signals with her
lover. One day the train was detained
Mt tho station, and the locomotive de-
tachod and sent up the road to do some
additional work, and Kate went along
for ride. As she listened to the sharp,
shrill notes of the whistle, it occurred
to hor that she might teach John to
sound her name in the Morse tele-
graphic characters, so that she could
distinguish his signal from that of the
other engines, whenever his train ap-
preached. The plan worked to n charm,
and far and pe.- the whistle shriekcd
Kate, until one day, as the operator
stepped upon the platform, she over
heard u conversation between two
young men, and learned that
they understood the signal and were
laughingly wondering who Kate
could be. Their means of communica-
tion having been discovered, they were
obliged TO discontinue it. In the mean
time Kate had by means of the tcle-
graph, made the acquaintance of
young lady in distant city, but whom
she had never seen, and to her she had
made known the fact that that secret
had been discovered. Then her friend
suggested plan us brilliant rs it was
ingenious. 1t was simply to arrange
n means of telegraphic communication
between the approaching train and the
station, so rs To ring bell hidden
away in the closet in Katc's office, en-
gine 80" being the only one provided
with means of completing the circuit,
which was done by laying the
poker upon the tender brake
70 as to touch the wire in passing.
Kate found an opportunity to acquaint
John with the proposed plan, and in
the meantime had found an abandoned
wire which ran fora long distance close
by the track, and which she proposed
to use for carrying out her purpose.
Thanksgiving Day came soon after,and
John fortunately having holiday, he
and Kate went brnvely TO work, and
before the day had ended the task was
complete success. The dramatic
finale of their little episode is told in
the following:
1t was singular how abscnt-mindcd
and inattentiye the operator was on
the day that the great scientific enter
prise was finished. No wonder
she was disturbed. Would the new
line work? Would her little battery
be strong enough for such great cir
cuite Would John be able to close itP
The people began TO assemble for the
train. The clock pointed to the hour
for its arrival.
Suddenly, with startling distinctness,
the bell rang clear and loud in the
echoing room. With a cry of delight
she put on her dainty hat and ran in
haste out upon the platform. The whis-
tie broke loud and clear on the cool,
crisp air, and "59" appeared round the
curve in the woods. The splendid
monster slid swiftly up to her feet and
paused.
Perfect, John! Perfect! 1t works
to charm"
With spring she reached the cab,
and sat down on the fircman's seat.
BLESSED if could tell what he was
going to do" said the fireman. '.He
told me about it. Awful bright idea!
You sec, he laid the poker on the
tender-brakc there, and it hit the tree
slam, and ! saw the wires touch. 1t
was just prime"
But the happy moments sped, and
"59" groancd and slowly departed,
while Kate stood ON the platform, her
face wreathed in smiles and whitc
steam.
So the lovers met each day, and none
knew how she was made aware of his
approach with such absolute certainty.
Science applied to love, or rather love
applied to science, can move the world.
Two weeks passed, and then there
suddenly arrived at the station late one
evening a special with the directors
car attached. The honorable directors
werc hungry-they always are-and
would pause on their journey and take
a cup of tea and bit of supper. The
honorables and their wives and chill
dren filled the station, and the place
put on quite gala aspect. AS for
Kate, she demurely sat in her den,
book in hand, and over its unread
pages admired the gay party in the
waiting-room.
Suddenly, with furious rattle, her
electric bell sprang into noisy life. Ev-
cry spark of color left her face, and her
book fell with dusty slam to the floor.
What was itp What did it meanP Who
rang it? With affrighted face she
burst from her office and brushed
through the astonished people and out
upon the snow-coyered platform.
There stood the directors train ON the
track Of the on-coming train.
1.-The conductorl Where is hep Oh,
hr! Start! Start Get TO the sidingl
The express is coming"
With a cry she snatched lantern
from brakeman's hand, and in a fash
was gone. They saw her light pitch
ing and dancing through the darkness,
apa they were lost in wonder and